Need Help - Front Weights

EastTexFrank · May 8, 2004

I'm looking for ideas on building a carrier and weights for a 2-WD MF 275. When using a heavy duty 7' drag mower on our rough pastures it's can be like riding a bucking bronco. The mower and drawbar seems to act like a fulcrum and when it bounces the front of the tractor comes off the ground. Not enough to be dangerous but very uncomfortable and it can make mowing very slow.

I know there must be members on this board who have built their own front weight carriers so I'm looking for inspriation!!!! - what did you use?, how it was fixed on?, what kind of weights did you use?, etc., etc ... and a photo or two would help. I can build most things but I am one of those guys who needs a plan or photo or else I waste a lot of time and material.

Thanks in advance for your help.

surfran · May 8, 2004

I don't have front weights, but was at a garage sale today and saw some barbells for sale. I thought back to TBN and noted many have used them for all sorts of weights. I did not buy them as they were the sand filled type with plastic, but made me think and in the past I would have just ignored.

Anyhow now I read your post and the first thing that crosses my mind is a barbell bar mounted across the front frame with u-bolts and the weights hanging off the sides. Of course this may interfere with tires, so it would have to be looked into, but was a thought none the less.

If it helps great, if not well then theres no charge /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

EastTexFrank · May 9, 2004

That's what I call thinking outside the box. It just so happens that I inherited a set of barbells and weights when we bought our house 7 years ago. I had completely forgotten about them. Now if I can just remember where I put those suckers we'll go see how I can fit them on the front and still have them be easily removable.

Neat idea. Thanks.

Inspector507 · May 9, 2004

These are the rectangle weights of a weight machine, but you could fab something similar. Search in the Yanmar forum under Front weights and you can see all my pictures.
front weights

Slamfire · May 10, 2004

I got a 20mm ammo can and bolted it to the front bumper on my tractor using the bumper bolts. I throw a couple of log chains and a bunch of tools in there and it seems to work. Kinda serves more than one purpose. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bob_Skurka · May 10, 2004

Here is what I did using bar stock. I added 100# to the front end. Bar Bell weights would have worked too, but I had access to the bar stock.

jmf7112001 · May 12, 2004

Frank, I'm a small dealer and resale tractor. I add front weights as one of my added features. I make these weights from 8 X 8 X what every is available at the machine shop. For Yanmar tractors I set this piece of tubing on to concrete blocks and a two by four. Then push the tractor up against it and mark the holes. I then take it to my drill press and drill holes. I slide bolts in the holes and tack weld and put a plate on each end. I fill it with any scrap iron I have and a bag of concrete mix and water. Let it harden and weld the other end on. I got a weight thats bolts on and has about 125 weight for about $30. Paint it what every color you want.

Villengineer · May 12, 2004

Any particular reason to pass on the plastic/sand ones? I was thinking of using some as they are plentiful, cheap, it's unstressed dead weight, and since plastic doesn't rust, no paint needed. May not look the best, but that's why they're removable. Just want to make sure I didn't miss some other reason to avoid them.

Egon · May 13, 2004

If they are easy to install/remove shouldn't be any problem.

I like Slamfires method. Always use more storage and perhaps get some radiator protection or bumper as an added benefit.

Egon

surfran · May 13, 2004

Villengineer,

Just wasn't sure they would hold up as well as steel ones if you ran into something i would think they would crack and lose the sand. But as you mentioned, you can replace easily so probably not a big deal.